Earlier today (Sunday) Sven and I attended the holiness meeting at the Clearwater Corps in Florida. It never ceases to amaze me how going into a Salvation Army Corps is the same anywhere I have travelled either in the UK, in Europe, Barbados or in the States, so far, this is the extent of my SA travels. The welcome is warm, friendly and genuine. This morning we were greeted at the door by smiling soldiers and Officers and once in the hall we were welcomed by many from within the congregation both in and out of uniform.
Once we entered the hall Sven was greeted by friends from down through the years and as I looked around this vast sea of people coming to worship I was delighted to catch sight of friends from the UK. Gordon and Judith Hill, soldiers from Hendon. Judith had been the DC’s secretary when I was stationed at North London DHQ and so we too were able to recall many happy memories.
As the meeting commenced it very soon became evident that the theme was that of encouragement. The Home League had conducted their sale the day before and raised $14,000 It seemed as if anyone who was anyone and had any part to play in their success was thanked and encouraged. The band was responded to with encouraging applause after their playing of pre meeting music. Visitors were welcomed and encouraged to introduce themselves. In the UK today it is Remembrance Sunday and in some ways it wasn’t that much different in the States as they acknowledged their veterans. Anyone who had served their country was asked to stand and was automatically greeted with rapturous applause of thanks.
However, for me, the biggest encouragement came from the testimonies and prayers of men from the Suncoast ARC Centre. The nearby Salvation Army ‘Adult Rehabilitation Centre’. Miracle, after miracle, after miracle was spoken of and the officers, Captains Gary and Liz Wilson shared of how they witness miracles on a daily basis. Is it any wonder we were ‘encouraged’ to sing: ‘How great is our God’ with the accompaniment of a contemporary worship group of men from the ARC.
Two solders were sworn in under the colours of the SA flag and the USA flag. One of the men is a young man who had witnessed life changing miracles in his life through the ministry of the ARC and together we sang:
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
And moving on to sing: ‘The Lord has promised good to me …’ as we saw miracles standing before our very eyes.
My thoughts wandered back home for a moment as I was reminded of the slogan of the North Western Division UKT ‘Transforming Stories … Transforming Lives’ and of how I wanted some of my colleagues to be encouraged and see and hear what I was privileged to witness this morning.
Tony testified, and how he testified. An educated man. Highly sought after job in education. Extremely successful in his chosen career … but … a failure in his personal and family life. In order to try and numb his pain he hit the bottle, began to drink heavily and even started to take drugs. Things snowballed and got totally out of control, eventually he lost everything, the job he loved and was so proud of, his family, his home, he hit rock bottom and even found himself in prison. Tony shared how the worst thing was giving up on God … but through the ministry of The Salvation Army and the ARC he came to realize that God hadn’t given up on him. His story continued with one miracle after miracle and we were blessed and encouraged to acknowledge that miracles are not a thing of the past but the work of a very present God who has not grown tired or weary, but still performs His miracles to the ends of the earth.
I believe in transformation,
God can change the hearts of me,
And refine the evil nature
Till it glows with grace again.
Others may reject the weakling,
I believe he can be strong,
To the family of Jesus
All God’s children may belong.
This morning we witnessed twenty or so before our very eyes and we were blessed and encouraged. But do you know what encouraged me the most? At the end of the sermon and during the time of reflection and prayer as a congregation we were invited to stand or raise our hands if we wanted prayer and these very same ARC men beautifully, gracefully and miraculously moved amongst us and prayed with and for us, blessing us in the Precious Name of their and our healer, Jesus.
‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up’ 1 Thessalonians 5: 11a
This certainly happened at Clearwater Corps this morning as together we recognized we are: ‘One Army … with One Mission … and One Message.
‘Bless our Army!
With Thy power baptize us all.’
Major Glad (Florida)
Love the photo Glad
ReplyDeleteSo Happy you were so blessed while in Florida,it is amazing what God can do right? as I read your comment I could almost feel the Holy spirit right here with me I got goose bumps all over and it reminded me of my days in NY which I miss so much. It is good to know we serve a God of miricals and NOTHING is impossible for HIM we just have to have the faith to BELEIVE and trust HIM ! as I am doing right now for my own health situation. Thanks for sharing this Glad God Bless you Always Ann xxx
ReplyDeleteI think that is the corps where my Bridges friends hang. The few times I've gone it has been it has been glorious. So glad you are Glad and here in sunny warm Florida.
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